3News Investigates: Middleburg Heights surgeon faces discipline for alleged sexual misconduct

Описание: A Southwest General orthopedic surgeon is facing disciplinary charges a decade after he was accused of sexual misconduct involving a teen hospital volunteer, records uncovered by 3News Investigates show.

While the allegations against Dr. Michael Banks are only now publicly surfacing, 3News Investigates has learned hospital administrators have been aware of the conduct ever since the 17-year-old girl first spoke to police in 2011. Banks was never charged, but instead reached a financial settlement with the girl, according to police.

The disciplinary case against Banks is among dozens reviewed by the Ohio State Medical Board in the wake of widespread criticism over sexual abuse claims against former Ohio State University athletics physician Dr. Richard Strauss.

In 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered a medical board review of previously-closed cases of sexual assault and impropriety against doctors. As a result, the board identified 1,254 closed sexual impropriety cases and said it was targeting 91 cases as "active sexual impropriety investigations."

Banks is one of two doctors who have thus far received a disciplinary citation. A hearing is set for September.

"As the Ohio State Medical Board has chosen to now examine this decades-old matter, out of respect for the work and authority of the Board, Dr. Banks will make no further comment until the conclusion of the Board proceedings," Banks' attorney, Victoria Vance, said in a statement.

Lynna Lai reports: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/inv...